Customer Story: From a Single Tin to an Ongoing Partnership
Kiinteistöpalvelu ETS relies on TKR’s odour-free and durable solution
| Client: | Oy Kiinteistöpalvelu ETS Fastighetsservice Ab |
| Interviewee: | Jukka Kilpinen |
| Key focus: | Public spaces, tight schedules, odour-free application and durability proven in practice |
TKR’s collaboration with Kiinteistöpalvelu ETS began the way many good partnerships do: on a small scale. Quite literally, with a single tin of material intended for a minor repair. There was no plan for a major change – just one area that needed fixing. But as is often the case, one successful job led to the next conversation.
And that was how it all began…
First impressions: practical performance matters
When we asked Jukka Kilpinen, Managing Director of Kiinteistöpalvelu ETS, what first comes to mind when using TKR, his answer was immediate: “The fact that it’s odour-free.” This was not a minor detail, but the first and one of the most important benefits he mentioned.
When working in public spaces, an odour-free solution is more than a nice extra. In many locations, it is essential, particularly where the premises remain in continuous use and people are moving through them throughout the day. Typical examples include day-care centres, fire stations, kitchens and residential properties. The work needs to be completed without putting normal operations on hold for an extended period.
Another strength that quickly stood out was the fast drying time and workability of the TKR coating: “It dries relatively quickly. It’s easy to apply in confined spaces and easy to work with.”
Confined spaces often present their own challenges, particularly in technical areas such as ventilation plant rooms and kitchens. A material that is easy to control and does not require additional reinforcement strips in every situation can significantly speed up the work.
A colour range designed for public spaces
Patchiness in clear coatings and visible differences in colour are among the first things a professional notices. From ETS’s perspective, however, the most important aspect of the colour range is practicality: “The colour options are exactly the kinds of colours used in public spaces. There are enough colours for public environments.”
Not every project needs dozens of designer shades. Often, durability, a consistent appearance and functionality matter more.
Durability is proven in everyday use, not in theory
When the conversation turned to epoxy coatings, Jukka highlighted an important difference: “It’s durable compared with epoxy. It doesn’t develop holes and it holds up better.”
At the same time, ETS was working on a kitchen where a pan had been dropped onto the floor and had created a hole in the previous coating. Floors in public kitchens are subjected to demanding conditions: impacts, heat, frequent cleaning and constant use.
Strong adhesion to different materials was also highlighted as an advantage. At the same time, Jukka pointed out an important consideration from a professional installer’s perspective: “The substrate needs to be smooth so that any unevenness doesn’t show through.”
A good material does not replace professional workmanship. It supports it.
“It requires precision” – and that is exactly why the result lasts
One of the most candid and important comments in the entire discussion concerned the application process: “Applying the coating requires precision. No product will work properly if you don’t follow the instructions.”
No system can compensate for cutting corners. When the instructions are followed and the substrate is prepared correctly, the result is built to last. Sometimes even a little longer than expected, as Kilpinen sums up with a smile: “It’s almost too good! A temporary repair made with TKR has already lasted for more than a year.”
A solution intended to be temporary turned out not to be temporary after all. That says a great deal.
Projects that speak for themselves
During the partnership, ETS has used TKR solutions in a range of projects, including:
- Kitchen floors
- Ventilation plant rooms
- Public spaces
- The floor at Kirkkonummi Fire Station
The fire station project was particularly memorable.
Around two years after the installation, a call came in. The first thought was that it might be a complaint or a question about a problem. We asked:
— “So, how has it held up?”
The reply was calm: “It has held up really well. That’s actually why I’m calling. We want to coat some other areas with the same material as well.”
That is perhaps the best feedback possible: not a marketing slogan or a single reference photo, but a solution proven through two years of use – followed by a new order.
A partnership that develops one project at a time
The relationship has never been one-sided. Throughout the collaboration, both parties have learned from each other, refined working methods and developed solutions one project at a time.
One tin turned into multiple projects.
A temporary repair became a long-term solution.
And a trial project developed into an ongoing partnership.
A strong partnership is not built on a big sales pitch.
It is built on a floor that is still performing well two years later.
What made TKR the right choice for ETS?
Based on ETS’s experience, the key benefits of TKR’s solutions include:
- Odour-free application, allowing work to be carried out in public spaces that remain in use
- Fast drying and good workability, even in confined technical spaces
- Durability under everyday demands – better resistance to impact and wear compared with epoxy
Would you like the same kind of result for your projects?
If you are looking for a solution that performs in real-world environments – from kitchens and technical spaces to other public facilities – contact TKR or fill in the form below. Together, we can find the system that best suits your project.